Should I be concerned about my child’s letter reversals?
If you’ve wondered this, you’re not alone.
It’s a common misconception that dyslexia is simply the experience of flipping or scrambling letters when reading and writing, and so it’s no surprise many parents worry when they notice their child reversing letters or numbers.
In reality, dyslexia is much more complex (here is International Dyslexia Association’s definition of dyslexia). Also, letter reversals are not always a sign of dyslexia, and in fact, are relatively common in the early stages of literacy development, up until the age of 7.
Why do young children often reverse or flip their letters and numbers?
Children first learn shapes and objects without much focus on orientation. It can be a new concept for young minds to adjust to the understanding that the positioning of these particular shapes is really important. For example, lowercase b, d, p, q are all identical shapes, only distinguished by the way they face. Likewise, capital M and W are largely the same shape. This can be confusing for a young reader still learning these new symbols and how they work!
This Peanuts comic is a great example of how a child might experience this frustration:
So if my child is under age 7, should I just let the reversals happen?
Yes and no. There are ways to encourage your child’s development in this area, but don’t feel pressure to correct your child immediately or consistently. Keep the focus on your shared excitement about your child’s growth in reading and writing, with any corrections occasional and secondary. Your child’s teachers or specialists will likely have fun and engaging ways to support letter and number confusion that you can implement at home, when you find it helpful.
For example, Lightbulb Moments uses a “breadstick and donut” approach to b/d confusion, pictured here:
Should I be concerned if my child is 7+ and still struggling with letter or number reversals?
Again, yes and no. This could be a sign of a deeper challenge, but there’s no need to panic or automatically assume dyslexia is the cause. It could be potential dyslexia, but it could also be working memory that needs strengthening, visual processing challenges, or perhaps a more general need for explicit instruction and ongoing support. The nature and severity of the reversals and confusion, along with the presence or absence of other challenges, will guide what direction might be most beneficial.
If your child is still reversing numbers and letters after age 7, it is recommended to seek outside support to identify next steps. Someone with expertise will know what other signs to look for and will be able to provide guidance on evaluation and intervention options for your child.
If letter reversals aren’t the best way to identify dyslexia, what can I look for?
The answer to this isn’t as straightforward as we all might like. A constellation of factors may indicate potential dyslexia, and it’s typically best to get a professional opinion, or more than one, when in doubt. While many evaluators and experts feel it may be too early to make an official diagnosis before age 7, there are ways to screen for potential challenges before the age of 7, and to start providing effective support. Early intervention is key!
In particular, assessing phonological awareness and strengthening any areas with deficits is especially worthwhile before the age of 7. Research shows strong phonological awareness is a top predictor in future reading ability and success. Lightbulb Moments has expertise in providing assessment and intervention tools in these areas to ensure your child is ready to start their literacy journey.
Reach out for more info here.